Dispenser for silver wafer batteries, and the like

ABSTRACT

Wafer batteries, and the like, are dispensed from a storage enclosure through a narrow opening in an inner enclosure wall onto an enclosed slidable member. The slidable member receives a battery on a recess thereon which passes completely across the slidable member, and is sized to receive only one battery. The slidable member is moved to a second position in which the recess is aligned with a discharge opening in the outer wall. A preferred embodiment provides a dispenser-storage container for new and used silver wafer batteries, e.g., hearing aid batteries, prevents inadvertent confusion of new and used batteries and yet facilitates return and salvage of valuable used batteries.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Cornelius Mark Phipps 1001 CrescentBlvd., Glen Ellyn, 111. 60137 [21] App]. No. 885,704 [22] Filed Dec. 17,1969 [45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971 [54] DISPENSER FOR SILVER WAFERBATTERIES,

AND THE LIKE 4 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. CI. 221/102, 221/155, 221/264, 206/42 [51 I lnt.Cl 865d 83/04[50] Field 01 Search 221/97, 102, 264, 277, 152, 155, 256, 267, 268;206/42 [56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 551,268 12/1895Edenholm 221/102 X 2,302,641 11/1942 Baron 221/246 2,341,447 2/1944Klotz..... 221/246 X 2,457,345 12/1948 Carline.. 221/64 2,434,993 1/1948Dwyer... 221/264 2,493,616 1/ 1950 Burns 221191 Primary Examiner- RobertB. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky ArmrneyDarbo, Robertson& Vandenburgh ABSTRACT: Wafer batteries, and the like, are dispensedfrom a storage enclosure through a narrow opening in an inner enclosurewall onto an enclosed slidable member. The slidable member receives abattery on a recess thereon which passes completely across the slidablemember, and is sized to receive only one battery. The slidable member ismoved to a second position in which the recess is aligned with adischarge opening in the outer wall. 1

A preferred embodiment provides a dispenser-storage container for newand used silver wafer batteries, e. g., hearing aid batteries, preventsinadvertent confusion of new and used batteries and yet facilitatesreturn and salvage of valuable used batteries.

PATENTEDHEB Hem 3.625.396

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Attorneys 1 DISPENSER FOR SILVER WAFER BATTERIES. AND THE LIKEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wafer-type batteries such as those used inhearing aids commonly use substantial pensive. A package containing therelatively small, easily spilled wafer batteries, and providing no meansfor dispensing the batteriesone at a time is most undesirable,particularly since this type of battery is quite likely to be used by anelderly individual who can ill afford the nuisance of locating the tinyspilled batteries, much less loss of some of the batteries. Moreover,silver is presently in short supply. Hence, it is desirable, underpresent conditions, to provide some means for facilitating the efiicientand convenient return of used batteries to the manufacturer forsalvageand reuse of the silver contained therein. Since persons using suchcontainers include elderly persons having relatively low level of manualdexterity and having failing eyesight as well as hearing, it is highlydesirable to provide a package for the storage, dispensing and return ofhearing aid batteries, which package virtually eliminates the likelihoodof confusing new batteries and old batteries, and which makes itvirtually impossible to gain access to a used-up battery while thepackage contains new batteries. It is imperative that such container beeconomically manufactured. These and other objects which will beapparent hereinafter are achieved in accordance with this inventionwhich is intended to provide, among other things, for the possiblereduction in cost to the elderly user of hearing aid batteries by way ofsavings because of a reduction of the likelihood of losing newbatteries, or by way of a credit for the return of used-up batteries. I

DESIGNATION OF THE FIGURES FIG. I is an exploded perspective view.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the receptacle portion of the container.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cover portion of the container.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of the receptacle portion of the containerillustrating the removal of batteries therefrom.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the assembled receptacle of this inventionhaving a supply of fresh batteries contained therein.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken approximately alongthe line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view taken line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional elevational view takenapproximately along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8 illustrating the insertion ofa battery through the one-way entrance.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodimentofthis invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another altemative embodimentof this invention which provides maximum new and used battery storagecapacity.

approximately along the DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Thecomplete container includes three components, namely receptacle portionI3, dispensing slide 14, and cover 16. These components are preferablymade of molded plastic, and cover I6 is preferably transparent.One-piece receptacle 13 includes base I8 having upwardly extendingprojections, generally 20, which define four separate partially enclosedre gions, namely, new battery compartment 22, two used batterycompartments 24, 26, and dispensing slide compartment 28. It is notedthat the top surface 30 of base 18 in new battery compartment 22 is at alevel somewhat higher than top surface 32 of base 18 in slidecompartment 28, and the reason for this will be more fully appreciatedhereinafter.

Slide, generally 14, includes notch or pocket 34 which extends frominner edge 36 to outer edge 38 and upwardly extending rounded boss 40.Bottom 42 of pocket 34 is positioned to be at the same level as bottom30 of new battery quantities of silver and are relatively exstoragecompartment 22 when slide 14 partment 28.

Cover, generally 16, includes face portion 46 having notched and slittedskirt 48 dependent therefrom. Skirt 48 includes notches 50, 52 andslitlike openings 54, 56. Top face 46 includes opening 58 of generallydog-bone configuration having relatively straight midportion 60 andenlarged rounded end portions 62.

As illustrated in FIG. I slide 14 resides in slide compartment 28 andcover 16 fits on top of and around receptacle l3, having slide 14residing therein. It is noted that upwardly extending projections 20, 21do not extend upwardly from the outermost edge 64 of base 18, but ratherextend upwardly closely adjacent at 64 to provide shelf 66. When cover,generally 16, is placed on top of receptaclecomponent, generally 13,dependent skirt 48, fits closely around the outermost edges ofprojections 20, 21 and bottom edge 68 of dependent skirt 48 rests onshelf 66. As perhaps best appreciated from consideration of FIG. 7, sothat, as seen in FIG. 7 and 8 outer face 70 of dependent skirt 48 issubstantially flush with outer edge 64 of base 18. Cover 16 is securedto receptacle 13 by suitable fastening means (not shown) such as beconventional adhesives.

Boss 40 is positioned and dimensioned to pass through slot 58 and extendupwardly a slight distance above surface 46. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8slot 50 is positioned and sized to receive lateral exposed end 72 ofslide, generally 14. Dispensing notch 52 is sized and positioned to bealigned with pocket 34 and opening 74 when slide '14 is in the positionillustrated in FIG. 5. In this position boss 40 resides in enlargedportion opposite 62 at one end of face opening 58. Opening 58, thoughrestricted slightly in midportion 60, nonetheless is sized to permitboss 40 to be moved from one end thereof to the other. When boss 40 isat the other end ofopening 58, namely, in the position illustrated inFIG. 4, pocket 34 in slide I4 is aligned with opening 76 in the sidewallof compartment 22.

Openings 54, 56 in dependent skirt 48, when cover [6 is in position onreceptacle portion 12, are aligned with used battery compartments 24,26. These slitlike openings, 54, 56 are provided with enlarged roundedend portions 78.

resides in slide com- OPERATION In the utilization of thecontainer-dispenser-retriever 12 of this invention a number of newbatteries 80 are charged into compartment 22, as suggested in FIG. 2. Inthe illustrated embodiment compartment 22 is sized to contain the samenumber of batteries that are receivable, in total, in compartments 24,26. Used batteries 82 shown in FIG. I are for illustrative purposes onlyto show the size and function of compartments 24, 26 to confine usedbatteries 82. In the packaging of new batteries in accordance with useof this invention, compartments 24, 26, are left empty when newbatteries 80 are packaged.

To dispense new batteries 80 from compartment 22 boss 40 is forced toslide laterally through opening 58 and particularly across narrowmidportion 60. The fact that midportion 60 binds somewhat on boss 40prevents flopping of slide 14 in and out inadvertently. When pocket 34is aligned with opening 76, tipping of the container downwardly towardslide-end 84 causes a first new battery 88 to move into pocket 34.Pocket 34 is sized to receive only one battery. Projection 21 stops thedownward movement of first new battery 88. Thus, only first new battery88 resides, at this point, in or on slide 14. Projecting portion 90 ofslide 14 may be pressed inwardly, or boss 40 may be moved laterally tocarry slide 14 to the position illustrated in FIG. 5. At this pointpocket 34 is aligned with openings 74 and 52 and consequently first newbattery 88 can be discharged from notch 34 by slightly tipping thepackage downwardly in the direction of edge 84. Wall 92 prevents passageof new batteries 80 into pocket 34 when slide 14 is in the positionillustrated in FIG. 5. Thus the dispensing feature of the package ofthis invention permits only controlled dispensing of new batteries fromthe package, and permits dispensing of only one new battery at a time.When a battery has been used and is to be stored for salvage, usedbattery 94 is pressed into either opening 54, or 56 against opposingedges or lips 96 causing inward deflection thereof, as illustrated inenlarged schematic view of FIG. 9. Thus it is only with considerableforce that used battery 94 can be inserted into compartment 24, 26. Thusreceptacle 13 and slide com-' ponent 14 may be fabricated from extremelyrigid material; relatively stiff, resilient plastic may also be used.However, it is essential in accordance with this invention, thatdependent skirt 48 of cover 16 be made of slightly flexible resilientmaterial. However, since cover 16 is fixed to receptacle 12, it isvirtually impossible to exert sufficient force on a used battery incompartments 24, 26 to retrieve the battery from the package. Thus inaccordance with this invention, openings 54, 56 constitute one-wayvalvelike openings which are opened by the injection of a used batterytherebetween.

Thus used batteries 82 are irretrievably confined in compartments 24, 26barring destruction of container 12. In accordance with the use of thisinvention, therefore, used batteries 82 are accumulated in compartments24, 26 and are thus retained in an integrated unit for convenient returnfor credit when new batteries are purchased. It is essential thatcompartments 24, 26 be part of an integral container unit to assureaccumulation of usedup batteries as new batteries are dispensed. Uponreturn of the package empty of new batteries, but full of accumulatedused-up batteries to the factory for recovery of the silver, the package12 is destroyed by cutting face portion 46 of cover 16, or by cuttingoff that portion of dependent skirt 48 which contains slit 54, 56 forrelease of used up batteries.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT Fig. illustrates the construction of analternative embodiment utilizing some of the features describedhereinbefore. Receptacle 100, slide component 102 and cover 104 areassembled as in the previously described embodiment. Upwardly extendingwalls 106 define the limits of storage compartment 108 and arediscontinuous to provide opening 110 in inner wall 112 to provide exitfor wafer batteries 114 from compartment 108. The details ofconstruction of slide recess 116, slide 102 and cover 104, are identicalto the corresponding units in the previously described embodimentsexcept that no openings are provided in sidewalls 118 for passage ofusedup batteries therethrough. The use and function of the alternativeembodiment described in FIG. 10 is identical to the use and function ofthe corresponding components present in the previously describedembodiment.

SECOND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT The alternative embodiment illustrated inFIG. 11 herein provides for maximum capacity of both new and used waferbatteries. The package a receptacle, generally 120, slide, generally122, and cover 124. Outer wall 126 extends along three sides ofreceptacle 120. Inner walls 128, 129, 130 and 131 along with outer wall126 define a serpentine path beginning at opening 133 and ending atopening 135. The serpentine path defines the storage space in whichbatteries 138 reside. Dummy wafer 139 is a clearly indicated separatorwafer, clearly marked by difference in color or indicia printed thereon.Dummy wafer 139 is positioned adjacent opening 133 and the container isfilled initially with new batteries 138 to the extent ofits capacity. Itshould be noted that in the illustration of FIG. 11 most of thebatteries have been removed for the purpose of clarity of illustration.Walls 141, 142, the end of wall 126, and wall 129 define slidecompartment 144, the floor of compartment 144 being lower than the floorof the remaining portion of receptacle 126. This brings the floor ofreceptacle 126 flush with or higher than floor 147 of the packet inslide 122.

The operation and function of slide 122 in dispensing new batteries 138is identical to that described in connection with the previouslydescribed embodiments, and that description need not be repeated here.In the embodiment described in FIG. 11, however, cover 124 includes onlyone opening 150 for return of used-up batteries. Opening 150 ispositioned opposite opening 133 and insertion of a first used-up batterypositions that battery immediately behind the separator 139 thus makingit impossible to confuse a used-up battery with a new battery.

As each successive new battery is dispensed from the container, roombecomes available for insertion of another used battery therein. Walls151, 128, 129, 130, are provided with thickened portions 151 which cambatteries moving along linear portions of the serpentine path off deadcenter thus facilitating pushing of batteries 138 through curves of theserpentine path upon insertion of a used-up battery through opening 150.It will be apparent that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 permitsone hundred percent utilization of the storage capacity of the packagefor new batteries, and provides an equal capacity for storage of used-upbatteries for return and salvage thereof.

While the use of the package of this invention is described in detail inconnection with distribution and return of hearingaid batteries, itsapplication is not limited solely to this valuable use. The inventioncan be modified, without departing from the scope of the invention, toprovide for distribution, dispensing, return and salvage of anyarticles, especially those containing valuable, salvagable materials.

Iclaim:

1. In a wafer-shaped article package having a flat storage compartmentand a dispensing slide arranged within said package alongside saidcompartment for movement between receiving and dispensing positions andprovided with a pocket to receive a single article from said compartmentthrough an opening in an internal wall of said package in the receivingposition of said slide and to dispense said article through an openingin an outside wall of said package in the dispensing position of saidslide, and externally accessible means for moving said slide from oneposition to the other, the improvement wherein said dispenser includes acover of flexible resilient material having a slot located above saidslide oriented in the direction of movement of said slide, said slidehaving a boss extending through said slot, said slot being dog boneshaped with end pockets large enough to receive said bass therein andmidportion smaller than said boss whereby said boss is locked in one ofsaid positions until positive force is applied to move it to the otherposition.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the package includesspace to receive used wafer-shaped articles, said space being defined inpart by a side wall of the cover, said sidewall having a slit thereinfor insertion of a used article into said space, said slit beingnarrower than said article whereby it must be forced in and will notfall out of said package.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 2 and including wall means forminga continuous passageway within the package for a single line of articlesfrom the slit to the opening in the outside wall of the package wherebythe dispensing of an article provides space in said passageway for aused article to be inserted thereinto through said slit.

4. Structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein the cover is transparentand indicia is provided on an article in the passageway at the end ofthe line of articles viewable through said cover to indicate theposition of the end ofthe line of articles in the package.

1. In a wafer-shaped article package having a flat storage compartmentand a dispensing slide arranged within said package alongside saidcompartment for movement between receiving and dispensing positions andprovided with a pocket to receive a single article from said compartmentthrough an opening in an internal wall of said package in the receivingposition of said slide and to dispense said article through an openingin an outside wall of said package in the dispensing position of saidslide, and externally accessible means for moving said slide from oneposition to the other, the improvement wherein said dispenser includes acover of flexible resilient material having a slot located above saidslide oriented in the direction of movement of said slide, said slidehaving a boss extending through said slot, said slot being dog boneshaped with end pockets large enough to receive said bass therein andmidportion smaller than said boss whereby saiD boss is locked in one ofsaid positions until positive force is applied to move it to the otherposition.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the packageincludes space to receive used wafer-shaped articles, said space beingdefined in part by a side wall of the cover, said sidewall having a slittherein for insertion of a used article into said space, said slit beingnarrower than said article whereby it must be forced in and will notfall out of said package.
 3. Structure in accordance with claim 2 andincluding wall means forming a continuous passageway within the packagefor a single line of articles from the slit to the opening in theoutside wall of the package whereby the dispensing of an articleprovides space in said passageway for a used article to be insertedthereinto through said slit.
 4. Structure in accordance with claim 3wherein the cover is transparent and indicia is provided on an articlein the passageway at the end of the line of articles viewable throughsaid cover to indicate the position of the end of the line of articlesin the package.